1. Where did you grow up and if you moved to the Halifax area, what brought you here?

I was born and raised in the Philippines and arrived in Canada in 2022 as an international student, where I studied Business Administration in British Columbia. In July 2025, I moved to Halifax to immerse myself in Atlantic Canada’s multicultural environment and further enhance my financial expertise.

2. Can you highlight your educational background and professional experience?

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in Mathematics and later completed international studies in British Columbia, obtaining a Post Degree Diploma in Business Administration. I joined CUA with 11 years of experience in the banking industry.  I began my career with one of the largest banks in the Philippines where I worked as a Client Associate Representative. I have also held positions as a Finance Officer, Member Service Representative and Financial Services Representative.

3. What drew you to banking?

From a young age, I was naturally drawn to numbers. I became more engaged and proactive whenever mathematics was involved, and educating others—from basic concepts to advanced math—was always my passion. This passion clearly influenced my decision to major in Mathematics.

Even before graduating, I already knew I wanted to build a career in banking, and I was fortunate to be hired by a bank prior to completing my degree. This early exposure deepened my interest in finance, beginning with foundational banking services such as deposits, withdrawals, and meaningful client interactions.

After coming to Canada and working in the banking sector, my expertise expanded even further to include term maturities, mortgages, insurance, and lending. To this day, I truly enjoy educating members and supporting them in achieving their financial goals. Their success is my success.

4. What does a regular workday look like for you?

A regular workday is an exciting experience for me. I look forward to seeing and having conversations with various members and find it interesting to address their questions and concerns. Most of all, the day feels productive and rewarding when we ends with no discrepancies, all issues resolved, and both members and non-members leaving the branch satisfied.

5. What is the best part of your job?

Being a CUA Financial Advisor involves meeting with members, listening to their financial needs, and providing appropriate solutions to help them achieve their goals. The most meaningful part of my role is educating members on how to grow their funds with us. By working together, we can help them achieve their financial goals while making the most of the products and services offered by CUA.

6. What do you think is a common banking myth people believe?

A common banking myth is that you need a large amount of money to open an account. Another misconception is that you have no opportunity to start investing unless you already have a lot of funds saved. Neither of these are true – you can get started at any time!

7. What is one piece of financial advice that you believe everyone should follow?

My advice is that if you’re thinking about opening an account, investing or organizing your financial goals, don’t hesitate to speak with a financial advisor. You might be a surprised by the range of options available, many of which you may not have realized were within your reach.

8. What is your favourite CUA product and why?

My favorite product is the term deposit, both registered and non-registered. I appreciate the flexibility from redeemable options for laddering my deposits (splitting a larger amount into smaller investments with different maturity dates) which allows me to take advantage of different interest rates.

9. Outside of your professional life, what is your favourite activity or hobby?

I love cooking, it’s one of my favourite activities because I feel truly fulfilled when I’m the one preparing a meal for others. I enjoy exploring different cuisines and trying new recipes, and the satisfaction I see from my family brings me the most happiness.

10. What is your favourite meal to cook at home or order at a restaurant?

My favorite dish to cook is pork embutido, a Filipino dish that involves many ingredients and requires a lot of effort to prepare, including hours of steaming. Despite the work involved, the result is very rewarding, offering a satisfying, happy and savory blend of flavours from all the combined ingredients. My family really enjoys it and often requests it.

Meet the CUA Team

Our experienced and dedicated team are passionate about helping our personal and commercial members improve their confidence and knowledge of financial matters. Meet the team »